OIC member states consider ways of boosting Islamic tourism

The 1st OIC International Forum on Islamic Tourism is being held in Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia on 2-3 June 2014. Participants at the Forum include representatives of 27 OIC Member States, relevant OIC institutions, private sector and civil society organizations.
In his opening message at the Forum, delivered on his behalf by OIC Assistant Secretary General for Economic Affairs Ambassador Hameed Opeloyeru, the OIC Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani traced the significance of the Forum on Islamic Tourism to consolidation of the gains made in the area of Islamic Finance and the establishment of OIC Halal Standards.
He explained that a major component of Islamic tourism was the development of Shariah-compliant hotels and resorts, entertainment and sport facilities, in addition to visits to Islamic cultural sites, promotion of Halal food and drinks, and family dedicated swimming and spa areas, among others.
The Secretary General expressed the hope that the outcome of the forum would increase awareness on the opportunities available in the Islamic tourism sector and would therefore scale-up the attractiveness of heritage and cultural tourism for the ever-increasing population of Muslim travelers.
The opening session was also addressed by the Vice President of Indonesia Dr. Boedino, while other keynote speakers featured the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia Mari E. Pangestu, the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of The Gambia and Chairman of the 8th Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers (ICTM) Fatou Mas Jobe-Nije, and the Malaysian Minister of Tourism and Culture Mohamed Nazri Bin Abdul Aziz.